Then Job answered the Lord and said,
“I know that You can do all things,
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know” (Job 2:1-3).

Job here extols God's sovereignty, and particularly, God's omnipotence, that He is all-powerful. What Job failed to understand was the extent of this power, which he confesses was "too wonderful for me." 

Another servant of the LORD would make a similar ackowledgement of God's sovereignty and with the same confession of helpless ignorance. King David wrote,

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain (Psam 139:1-6).

Unlike Job, David's emphasis here is God's omniscience, that He is all-knowing. Like Job, David also acknowledges, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me." In other words, there is a limit to his searching it out. There is a point that he cannot go beyond without God's help or enablement. It is the creature realizing his creaturely limitations.

Later in the psalm, David would also acknowledge God's omnipresence, that is He is everywhere present at once:

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast (Psalm 139:7-10).

Again, this too goes beyond our searching out. How can God be in one place and everywhere at the same time? How is possible that God can clothe Himself in the limitation of flesh and blood, as our Lord Jesus did, in the Incarnation. How can God be three "persons" and yet one "God," God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, which we call the Trinity. We can give it a word, but that does not mean we understand it. Surely, such knowledge is too wonderful for us.

Friends, I highlight these things about God so that we might not think too highly of ourselves. Although we have been given the highest dignity by God, we are from the beginning no better than a worm, no greater than the dust from which we were formed. For so we were created. When Abraham dared to inquire of God, he acknowledged that he was doing so even "though I am nothing but dust and ashes"(Genesis 18:27). God would rescue Israel, even though he was nothing but a worm (cf. Isaiah 41:14).

What application can we make? This realization should drive us all to our knees and cause us to confess the folly of living our lives as if we were in control of it. In those moments when we are most alone and afraid of our environment and circumstances, this realization of God's sovereignty should remind us that God has a front-row seat and is director, producer and owner of the production of our lives. This realization of God's sovereignty should remind us to fear God more than men, for while the schemes of men are limited to this life, only God controls our eternal destinies. So Jesus also taught, 

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28).

Friends, live and do everything in the fear of God. Do not fear men or circumstances, but choose to obey God in everything regardless of the consequences, whether you lose your respect among your friends, or your livelihood, or even your very lives. Isn't this living by faith?

Job 41:1 “Can you draw out Leviathan"

I am of the thought that behemoth and Leviathan are not animals, even prehistoric. I actually think that these are symbols of sin and Satan.

Verses 1-17 speaks of physical characteristics: Strong, impenetrable, fearsome looking.

Verses 18-32 speaks of his power: lightening, smoke, commanding

Verses 33-34 speaks of his spiritual traits: without fear and king of the sons of pride

Revelation, among other places, paints the sea as a place that holds wickedness. The sea in revelations 21:1 is said to be no more when the new heaven and the new earth come and Revelation 13:1 explains the dragon comes out of the sea - the king of the sons of pride.

Yujin responds... Finding some metaphorical flourish in the descriptions of Behemoth and Leviathan is fine, but there is no reason not to believe that these were actual creatures. All the other creatures mentioned are real, why shouldn't these be as well? And God speaks of them as if Job and the people of his day were acquainted with them. If they were merely symbolic, expressions like "Take a look at Behemoth..." would make no sense. Finally, it is the very reality of these creatures that makes the force of God's arguments for His vast power substantive. Do you have a basis for thinking that these are merely descriptions of sin and Satan, for I don't see anything in the text to suggest such a link? 

Fernando's Response:

Perhaps I was too hasty. I would admit the Behemoth is presented as a natural creature, but I would resist the Leviathan.

The Leviathan has physical descriptions, as has been done to spiritual beings, but unlike natural creatures this creature is given mythical traits: fire breathing, smoking and dominion (looks down over haughty/proud kings.)

When I think of the Leviathan I see an enemy of God (Isaiah 27:1). I accept the Leviathan's existence like I accept the King of Tyre's existence of Ezekiel 28.

Just as in Ezekiel God went from natural king ('prince of tyre) to spiritual king ('king of tyre) I think this occurs to the Leviathan. Similarly, I can accept a creature that caused great awe existed, but I would not give this entire fire breathing, God-Anomosity traits to a natural creature. 

In the midst of these natural creatures and natural systems the lord also mentioned in chapter 38 restraining Pleides and loosening Orion. As in Ezekiel, he seems to go for imagery that is understood to shed light for spiritual understanding.

I admit that the argument is not strong. The comment about 'king over the proud,' could be to illustrate its awesomeness. And God did speak of it as if they are recognizable. But if we have no record in the 'now' how could the argument go, when he mentions fire breathing animals and creatures we regard as constellations?

Perhaps I should add that, we would agree that the point of the dialogue is God's power and majesty, and therefore his justice. While there may not be a need to directly point to sin and Satan in this context, perhaps it does have more meaning in Job's context? Meaning God used mythical topics to make his point (constellations, 'pillars supporting the earth'). Perhaps he used this myth/story/animal, the Laviathan, to convey some point that escapes us. 

Fire breathing reality or extracted point?

Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? Are you as strong as God? (Job 40:8-9)

Last year I wrote something that I would like to revisit, and it is the thesis that "might is right," the stronger rules the weaker, and the strongest rules all. As God challenged Job on the basis of knowledge in previous chapters, God here confronts Job on the basis of strength. "Are you as strong as God?" If he were, then he would have legs to stand on as he tried to justify himself while discrediting God's justice. Otherwise, his protests were meaningless. 

So God is not only sovereign in wisdom and knowledge but also in power and strength. He has the authority to govern the affairs of man because He alone has the power to save and destroy at will (James 4:12). Notice, even Satan could do nothing without God's permission. Everything he did to Job was with God's consent. 

When Paul confronts syncretism in the church, where some tried to worship God and idols at the same time, he rhetorically asks, "Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?" (1 Corinthians 10:22). In other words, if we were stronger, we could choose one moment to worship God and at another moment to worship an idol. Why? Because strength energizes choice. Who could stop us? But since God is stronger, we would only incur His wrath if we do not exclusively worship Him. 

Again, when Paul addresses God's sovereign choice in election, he writes,

Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? (Romans 9:18-21).

Again, we return to the theme of God's strength. It is like the potter to the clay. The clay can do nothing apart from the Potter's will. Even when Pilate tells Jesus that he has the power to save him or crucify Him, Jesus corrects him, saying, "You would have no power over me unless it were given to you from above" (John 19:11).

I am watching a Korean historical drama called "God of War," and in it I was impressed by the authority of a king's signature. In supporting his eldest son to succeed him as king, the king simply gave him a blank scroll with his unique signature on it. He could write whatever he wanted, and it would be carried out with the force of the king's power and authority. With it he could control whether a person lived or died, he could order thousands of troops into battle, he could amass to himself riches and honor, and he could essentially proclaim himself king. 

This is the power of the Word of God. And it is a much greater power and word than that of any king, for it wields the authority of God, who is all-knowing and all-powerful. And we are accountable to it. Thus, we read in Hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Again, God's Word is the only resource we need to do every good work that God intends for us to do. So we read in 2 Timothy 3:16-17,

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Again, more than anything we can trust God's Word because God's power is behind it to enforce its truth. So God Himself says in Isaiah 55:9-11,

 As the heavens are higher than the earth, 
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts. 
As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish, 
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty, 
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

As Jesus also taught,

For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished (Matthew 5:18).

So, my friends, I want to remind you to persevere in your reading, meditation, study, and application of God's Word. It is the best use of your time and will produce the most fruitful results in your life. If, like the blessed man of Psalm 1, you meditate day and night on it, then you will always be fruitful, finding wisdom and strength against temptations, wrongful teachings, and wordly distractions. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. It carries the power and authority of God. It will be the means for you to love God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength. 

Friends, God confronts Job: "Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?" (Job 40:8). And this is what Job was doing and then later repents of (Job 42:6). Even righteous Job had a higher view of himself than he should have. God does not confront Job as to his "righteousness" but as to his strength: "Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?" (Job 40:8). There is a saying, "might makes right" or "might is right." In an ultimate sense, this is true.

Some preach the romantic idea, "love conquers all" or the power of principle over brawn. But is this true? How often have acts of love been thwarted and noble principles as well? Yet, why do we still insist on the absolute nobility of principles and the indefeateability of love? Let us understand, it is only because there is a God who upholds these virtues that they have power. There is a God who controls how the story ends and continues on into eternity. What I'm trying to say is this. Don't elevate ideals above God. Don't elevate principles, love, or anything else above God. God is above all these things. If God were to suddenly decide that we should all do wickedly, then we should all do wickedly. What do you think God was testing when he told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only son? Are you thinking, "But God stopped him." Is this what Abraham was thinking? No. The faith of Abraham, and for which he was commended, was that he believed that God was perfectly just to ask him to sacrifice his son. Abraham's only thought was that once he did so, God would bring him back to life, because God promised to make a great nation through Isaac.

Some of you may say, "But God would not break His laws." But consider what you're saying. Did God make these laws for Himself or for mankind? God told Adam not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But does that also restrict God? Let us understand, God is not under the laws He makes for man. If so, what He did to Job would be totally unjust, even if it was only temporary. And there are numerous things in the Bible that would be considered unjust if we held God to this standard.

Why couldn't Job contend with God? Because God was stronger than Job. Job's righteousness or wickedness is meaningless in the presence of God. We have a six year-old in our martial arts organization, who has attained to black belt and is very talented. But no matter his talent, he would not be able to stand up against any adult white belt. Why? The adult is stronger. Therefore, let us understand. The strength of righteousness, love, and principles does not exist in and of themselves, but from God, who gives the strength. God defines strength. God defines right. God defines good (James 1:17). God says to Job, "Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine" (Job 41:11). God is not beholden to anyone, and He cannot be judged by anyone.

Someone once said to me, "That's all fine and good, but how do I apply this to my daily life." We should be careful not to unwisely minimize these truths to simple applications like "Do this" or "Do that" or "Don't do this" or "Don't do that." When you reflect on the truth of God's sovereignty, are you not humbled? Doesn't commands like "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" carry deeper significance for you? Are you not more prone to give all the glory to God for everything?

 

I am glad to see the end of the tunnel that Job was going through today. Now I read that Job enjoys what lies beyond the valley of shadow of death. The purpose of the painful commotion in his life is not clear in today's text but after all, Job says,

“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
⁵ I spoke once, but I have no answer—
twice, but I will say no more.”

What God asks us to do seemed to me blind faith at first because He just tells us to trust him without even a speck of hint about His plan. Sometimes suffering catches us off guard. Other times it sneaks up on us slowly and eventually saps the energy out of us. We are, however, completely blind to overarching arms of God who protect us from any harm. Yes, it would be blind faith if the one we put our trust in is nothing but a mortal like us who can fail more than succeed. We have confidence, however, that God not only walks through the valley of shadow of death with us but also guarantees what lies beyond it. The creator who never fails to control everything gave us this promise,

"Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."

Praise His Name which is trustworthy!

 

The story of Job is obviously a great one of faithfulness and perseverance but as I reflected on the story, I wondered why it started out with dialogue between God and Satan but ended without any.  Then I realized that it could have been arrogance, pride, selfishness and other sinful characterstics that kept Satan from returning.  Still I let my imagination ponder what Satan & God might have discussed.  Here's a draft of those thoughts:

[Satan returns to the presence of the LORD.]

God: "Do you now understand?"

Satan:  "Job is only one.  There are countless others that would not have fared so well."

God: "I have given them free will.  They choose themselves who they will serve."

Satan: "Yes, I know.  I have many that have not chosen you."

God: "Yes, I know - for the meantime.  The others you will not be able to harm - ever."

Satan: "We'll see about that."

God: "You'll never learn will you.  I've given you everything you have - even life - still you want more.  You are more knowledgeable of my kingdom than any man.  You have been given powers that no earthly man will ever have.  Still you want more."

Satan: "You aren't the only one who deserves things.  I want more!"

God: "Your time will come.  Fear the LORD."

[Satan flees.]